Voting-machine.



W. R. CAR-ROLL.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED TBB. 4, 1913.

Witnesses /e/I'; I f '5% W. R. CARROLL.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED F3114, 191s.

Patented June 2, 1914.

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Witnesses Attorneys WILLLAM B.. cannoni., or MANY, LOUISIANA.

VOTING-MACHINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1914.

Application filed February 4, 1913. Serial No. 746,157.

To all whom mag] concern Y Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. CARROLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Many, in the parish of Sabine and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful Voting-Wachine, of which the following is a specification.

IThe device forming the subject matter of this application is a voting machine adapted to be employed in connection with checks or counters, the use of printed ballots being avoided.

@ne object of the present invention is to provide novel means for disposing in front of the voter, receptacles in which the checks or counters may be placed.

Another' object of the invention is to provide novel means for moving the checks or counters into the receptacles, after the voter has indicated his choice.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for actuating and controlling the carriage whereby the checks or counters are moved into alinement with the receptacles.

The invention aims, further, to provide a machine in which the Vnumber of votes cast may be indicated at a glance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a voting machine which may be operated by one official only, novel means being provided for prevent'ng illegal voting and repeating.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means whereby, when one recep tacle is filled, another receptacle will automatically be placed at the disposal of the voter.

It is within the scope of the invention to improve generally, and to increase the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

YVith the above and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows the complete invention in perspective; Fig. 2 is a perspective of the carriage whereby each counter is carried into alinement with one 4the notch of the track.

i scribed hereinafter.

of the counter-receiving receptacles; Fig.` 3 1s a perspective of the plunger, which, co-

operating with the carriage shown in Fig. 2,

serves to elevate the counters; Fig. 4L is a `fragmental vertical section showing the means whereby one receptacle, having been filled, is replaced by another receptacle; Fig. 5 is a section view of the piston which rests upon to-p of the pile of counters in each receptacle; Fig. 6 is a top plan of the drum and attendant parts, portions of the structure being broken away; Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation showing the means whereby the drum which carries the counter-holding receptacles s released for rotation; Fig. S is a sectional detail showing the means whereby the carriage is mounted for sliding movement; Fig. 9 is a front elevation ofthe complete structure; Fig. 10 is a horizontal transverse section of .the structure depicted in Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a front elevation of one of the receptacles in which one of the counters is mounted; Fig. 12 is a sectional detail showing thev drum and its actuating and mounting means; Fig. 13'is a plan of the index card; Fig. 14 is a fragmental perspective View, showing the carriage engaged in Fig. 15 is a fragmental view similar to Fig. 10 but'showing the parts as they will appear before the carriage is projected to receive a counter.

In the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a table, or other suitable support upon which the voting machine hereinafter described, is placed. The voting machine comprises a base 2, to opposite ends of which leaves 3 are hinged, the construction being such that the leaves 3 may be swung downwardly to rest upon the table 1, as shown in Fig. 1.

vSide walls 4 and a top 5 are provided, the

side walls '4: resting removably upon the baseQ. They leaves 3 may be folded upwardly, so as to form a compact receptacle, adapted to house the mechanism to be de- Gne of the leaves 3,

which is disposedv in front of t-he voter, is

provided with hol lers 6, retaining an index card 7 Upon this card 7, the names of the candidates and the names of the purposes to be balloted upon, are inscribed, as shown in Fig. 13, and opposite each name or object is marked a number. In operation, after the voter has observed `the number which is peculiar to the candidate or object for which he desires to vote, `the opera- Ation proceeds by number only.

Supported objects orV upon one of the leaves 3 or mounted in any other suitable manner within reach of the voter is a box 8, in which counters 9 are placed. sembling poker chips or buttons. The counters 9 are plain and carry no indicating marks of `any sort whatsoever. Thus, if the voter desires to ballot in favor of amending the code, he notes, upon the card 7, that the numeral 5 indicates the proper tube in which counters should be deposited by those who are in favor of amending the code.

Fixed to and upstanding from the base 2 is a U-shaped frame 10. A thrust bearing 11, shown in Tlil-Vig. 12, is mounted on the base 2. In the thrust bearing 11 and in the upper portion of the frame 10 is mounted a Awinding shaft 12.

Mounted for rotation upon the winding shaft 12 is a drum which is a composite structure, the drum comprising an upper head 14 and a lower head 15, the heads 14 and 15 being connected by a tubular bear ing 16 in which the shaft 12 is received. The heads 15 and 14 of the drum are provided with radial ribs 17, adjacent ribs 17 upon the upper head 14 receiving a supporting plate 1S and adjacent ribs 17 upon the lower head 15 receiving a plat-e 19. The plates 18 and 19 are connected by shafts 20. Journaled upon e-ach shaft 2O is a tubular bearing 21 to which are secured oppositely disposed tubes or receptacles 22.

The drum comprising the heads 14 and 15 and the bearing 1G may be rotated upon the shaft 12 so as to place any tube 22 in front of the voter. Obviously but one row of tubes, circumferentially of the machine may be provided, but in the present instance, rthe tubes are disposed in pairs, the tubes being connected with each shaft 20 by means of the tubular bearings 21, so that when one tube is filled, the filled tube may be swung to the rear of the shaft 20, the

other tube being disposed in front of the voter and adjacent the periphery of the drum. Then all of the tubes which are carri-ed by any removable frame (comprising the plates 18 and 19 and the shafts 2O extended therebetween) have been filled, such frames may be slid from between the ribs 17 and another frame may be mounted in place.

A means is provided whereby a pair of tubes 22 may be rot-ated horizontally, with the shaft 2O as a center, so as to dispose an empty tube in front of the operator after the other tube has been filled. To accomplish this result, a spring 23 is coiled around the shaft 20, one end of the spring being secured to the shaft and the other end of the spring 23 being secured to the tubular bearingr21. ft will be seen that the tendency of the spring 23 is to rotate the connected tubes 22 until the spring 23 is no longer under These counters are thin disks re- I the pile of counters 9 in each tube 22.

tension. In order to prevent this undesirable rotation, a spring' arm 24 is secured to the upper head 14 of the drum, the spring arm carrying a closure 25 which lits into the top of one tube 22. riFhus, a rotation of the f connected tubes 22 upon the shaft 20 is prey vented.

A means is provided whereby, when the front tube 22 has been lled, the closure 25 will be automatically displaced from the filled tube, permitting the tubes to rotate upon the shaft 20, so that an empty tube is disposed in front of the voter. This means for automatically releasing the closure 25 will be described hereinafter.

.Passing now to a detailed description of the tube 22 and referring specifically to Fig. 11, it will be seen that a slot 2G eX- tends longitudinally of each tube. Each tube is graduated continuously from its bottom toward its top, to indicate the number of counters 9 which the tube contains at any stage of the voting operation. The tube is slit longitudinally adjacent its lower' end to form a plurality of the resilient tongues 28. These tongues 28 above their lower ends, are curved inwardly, as indicated at 29 to present a reduced neck.

` The neck 29 serves to prevent the counters 9 from dropping downwardly out of the tube 22. Ae cap 30 rests upon the top of The cap 8O is shown in F ig. 5 and is provided with an indicator 31 adapted to move in the slot 26 of the tube 22 and to indicate the number of counters which are. at any time contained in the tube. The indicator' 31 is preferably threaded into the cap 30, to permit, in turn, a removal of the counters from the tube. The cap 30 is of sufiicient height so that when the upward movement of the same is limited by the closure 25, the indicatorl will stand opposite to the uppermost graduation on the tube. rfhe tubes 22 are graduated continuously, the graduations beginning at the bottom of one tube and running to the top of the said tube, and then beginning at the next numeral at the bottom of the other connected tube.

When the cap 30 is forced upwardly by the counters in the tube 22, the cap ultimately comes in contact with the closure 25, lifting the closure 25 out of the end of the tube, the spring 24 fiexing to permit this operation. The tubes 22 are then set free for rotation, and a rotation of the tubes, about the shaft 20 will take place due to the action of the spring 23. When the tubes have rotated through 180 degrees, the closure 25 will drop into the empty tube and hold the empty tube in place at the periphery of the drum.

In each plate19 there is a guide way 32 alined with the tubes 22, as will be under'- stood when F ig. 6 is examined and is compared with Fig. 8. Mounted to slide in each guideway 32 and retained therein is a carriage 33 which preferably takes the form of a resilient plate, shown most cl-early in Fig. 2. In the carriage 33 there is an opening 34, there being a shoulder 35 in the opening 34, the opening defined by the shoulder 35 being indicated by the numeral 36, the opening 36 being of less diameter than the opening 35. In the lower edge of the carriage 33 adjacent the free end of the carriage there is a notch 37 adapt-ed to engage a lined primary track 38 which preferably is supported upon the base 2. At the front of the machine, the primary track 38 curves outwardly, as indicated at 39. Noting Fig. 9 it will be observed that the forward portion of the primary track 38 curves upwardly, slightly, as indicated at 40. At the apexl of the upwardly curved portion 40 of the track there is formed av notch or sto-p 41. The track 38 is eccentrically disposed with respect to the shaft l2, the ends of the track, indicated at 42 lying closer to the Shaft than the forward portion of the track.

VLocated within the contour of the pri-V mary track 38 is a secondary track 43 which is continuous and is secured to the base 2, the track 43 being circular, saving for the fact that the forward portion of the track extends outwardly as shown at 46, to correspond with the' portion 39 of the primary track 38. At the sides of the machine, the track 43 is upwardly inclined as indicated at 44, the rear portion 45 of the track 43 being level and being located slightly above the level of the forward portion of the track. A

A. plunger 47 is provided and the upper end of the plunger 47 is mounted to slide in the opening- 3G. The end 48 of the plunger is adapted to travel along the secondary traclv 43, the primary track 33 being received in the notches 37 of the carriages 33.

Then the drum, comprising the heads 14 and 15 and the bearing 16 is rotated, the carriages are caused to swing around in a circumference, and will be advanced outwardly, and radially of the drum., owing to the fact that the notches 37 of the carriages are engaged with the primary track 38. Ultimately, one carriage rides upon the portion 39 of the track 38, the carriage being advanced, as shown in Fig. G. it the same time, the end 48 of the plunger 47 will ride upon the portion 46 of the secondary track 43. The opening 34 is now exposed and into this opening is placed one of the counters from the box 8. `When the carriage 33 slides along the upwardly inclined portion 40 of the track 38, the free end of the carriage will drop into the notch 41 and the carriage will be held against rotation, rotatory movement being imparted to the drum through the medium of a s] 9ring located within the casing 55, one end of the Spring 54 being connected with the shaft 12 and the other end of the spring being connected with the casing which, in its turn, is connected to a casing 51, inclosing the drum, the casing 51 being held against rotation, by connection with the frame 10, or in any other suitable manner. The casing 51 is provided with one or more doors 52 which are hingedly mounted, as indicated at 53, these doors being adapted to disclose a portion of the drum, at the front of the machine.

A latch 49,.shown in Fig. 7, is fulcrumed as shown at upon the base 2. The inner vend of this latch bears against the carriage 33, when the same is engaged in the notch 41 of the track 38. The operator, having deposited his counter or check in the opening 34, presses upon the free end of the latch 49 and the free end of the carriage 33 is disengaged from the notch 41, whereupon the drum is put into rotation by the spring 54.

. When the carriage is rotated in the manner hereinbefore described, by the' spring 54, the carriage 33 will be slid inwardly, owing to the fact that the notch 37 engages with the eccentric primary track 38, the ends 42 of which extend inwardly toward the center of the drum. lhen the drum is rotated as above described, the end 48 of the plunger 47 4will ride along the secondary track 43 and ultimately encounter the incline 44. .Vhen the plunger 47 encounters the incline' 44 the plunger will not be tilted out of the opening 36 because the slope of the incline is su'liiciently gradual to avoid an abrupt lateral push against the plunger. The plunger 47, therefore, will be advanced into the tube 22 and will elevate the lowermost counter 9 in the tube 22 until the same is moved past the retracted neck 29. The counter will thus be held in place against dropping downwardly, the lower end 48 of the plunger riding along the rear elevated portion 45 of the track 43. lWhen the lower end 48 of the plunger 47 rides downwardly along the incline 44 at the opposite side of the track, the plunger 47 will drop by gravity in the opening 36, permitting the insertion of another check or counter in the opening 34 of the carriage 33.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, it will be observed that the portion 39 of the track 38 is so shaped that but one carriage 33 is advanced at a time, it being impossible to deposit counters 9 upon adjacent carriages 33.

Should the voter desire to vote in more than one tube, the upper end of the portion of the latch 49 is held elevated, so that the outer ends of the several carriages may ride thereover and not encounter the notch 41 in the track 38. The drum will therefore rotate under the action of the actuating spring 54 until the proper tube is in front of the voter, whereupon, if the latch 49 be released, the tube will be locked in front of the voter in the manner hereinbefore described.

Fulcrumed upon the b-ase 2 and located adjacent the back of the machine is a latch 56, constrained by a spring 57 to engage in a notch 58 in the edge of the lower head l5 of the drum. lIhe latch 56 is so positioned that when the same is engaged in the notch, none of the carriages 33 will be in a projected position to re'ceive a counter.'

The election official, so soon as the voter approaches the machine, displaces the latch 56 from the notch 5S, whereupon the voter may secure a rotation from the drum by manipulating the latch 49. After the drum has made a Complete rotation, the latch 56 will automatically engage in the notch 5S. More than one rotation of t-he drum is thereby prevented, and it is impossible for the voter to rotate the drum repeatedly, voting again and again, at each succeeding operation.

The operation of the structure has been dealt with step by step, but generally considered, the operation is as follows The election official stands at the rear of the machine, provided with a poll book in which the names of the voters are inscribed. As a person approaches the machine and demands the right to vote, his name is searched for in the poll book. If the name of the voter is found, the name of the voter is inscribed in another portion of' the book and opposite his name is inscribed a numeral indieating the order in which he has voted, the voter being entered as the first, second, third, fourth, etc. In this manner the entire number of votes cast may be ascertained from the poll votes when the polls have closed. The' operator presses the latch 56, thus setting the drum free for rotation. The voter then manipulates the latch 49, permitting the drum to rotate, whereupon one carriage 33 after another is advanced, and a counter is dropped into the opening 34. The carriage 33 is automatically retracted, in the manner hereinbefore set forth, and the counters are lifted by the plunger 47 into the respective tubes 22. The tubes 22, as indicated at 60, and the guides, as indicated at 61, are supplied with numerals and the card 7 is similarly inscribed, so that there will be no confusion upon the part of the voter in selecting the proper candidate' or the proper object to be voted for.

The plungers 47 may be numbered, to cor respond with the tubes in which they are mounted.

The tubes or receptacles 22 may be fashioned from glass or other transparent material, and under such circumstances the slots 26 may be dispensed with.

Noting that the drum is inclosed in the casing 5l, there is practically nothing for the voter to catch hold of in order to secure a reve-rse rotation of the drum. Further, the actuating spring 54 for the drum may be made sufficiently strong so that a reverse rotation will be practically'impossible. The voter, therefore, cannot cast a ballot for any one candidate repeatedly, and more than one rotation of the drum will be prevented because the spring impelled catch 56 will engage in the notch 58.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. In a vot-ing machine, a rotatable member; a fix-ed track eccentric to the rotatable member; a receptacle on the rotatable member; and a carriage slidable on the rotatable member below the receptacle, the carriage being slidably engaged with the track.

2. In a voting machine, a rotatable member; a fixed track eccentric to the rotatable member; a receptacle on the rotatable member; a carriage slidable on the rotatable member below the receptacle, the carriage being slidably engaged with the track; means for rotating the rotatable member; and interengaging elements upon the carriage and upon the track for holding the rotatable member against rotation.

3. In a voting machine, a rotatable member; a fixed track eccentric to the rotatable member; a receptacle on the rotatable member; a carriage slidable on the rotatable member below the receptacle, the carriage b-eing slidably engaged with the track; means for rotating the rotatable member; interengaging elements upon the track and on the carriage for holding the rotatable member against rotation; and means under the control of an operator and engaging the carriage to effect a dis-engagement of the interlocking elements and to permit the rotatable member to rotate.

4. In a voting machine, a rotatable member; a receptacle thereon; a fixed track having an incline; a plunger slidable in the rec-eptacle and adapted to engage the incline to elevate the plunger; the receptacle being provided with counter-holding means located above the plunger.

5. In a voting machine, a rotatable member; a fiXed track eccentric to the rotatable member; a receptacle upon the rotatable member; a carriage slidable upon the rotatable member below the receptacle, the carriage being slidably engaged with the track; a plunger slidable in the carriage; and an inclined track engaging the plunger.

6. In a voting machine, a rotatable member; a receptacle thereon; a carriage mounted to slide upon the rotatable member beneath the receptacle; a plunger mounted to slide in the carriage; fixed means for advancing and retracting the carriage when the rotatable member is rotated; and fixed means for elevating the plunger in the rotatable member.

7. In a voting machine, a rotatable memtacle, the pistons respectively constituting ber; connected receptacles journaled on the means for disengagng the latch When one rotatable member; means for rotating the piston is raised by the contents of the recep- 15 receptacles; and releasable means for holdtacle.

5 ing the receptacles against rotation. In testimony that I claim the foregoing 8. In a Voting machine, a rotatable memas my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signabr; connezted reeptacles rotatable upon ture in the presence of two Witnesses.

t e rotatab e mem er; a latch upon the rotatable member, engaging one receptacle, to WILLIAM R' CARROLL' 10 hold the receptacles against rotationv upon Vitnesses:

the rotatable member; means for rotating EDWARD (l. DILLON,

the receptacles; and a piston in each recep- JOHN l?. DILLoN.

Copie! of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

